Barcelona started without Lionel Messi in their Copa del Rey first leg against Real Madrid and had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou.
The Argentine featured in the second half but had been left out of Ernesto Valverde's starting XI due to the thigh knock he sustained at the weekend.
"Leo is fine," Valverde said.
"But we prefer not to take risks in this time [of the season].
"He had some discomfort and we decided it was for the best."
Malcom unexpectedly shone and deservedly got on the deservedly, leaving Valverde pleased.
"It was a difficult test because it's a very special match," he commented.
"He was connecting with his teammates very well."
Barcelona now have to score at least once at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, which should make for an open return leg.
"We have to score, it's simple," Valverde stated.
"The tie is open."
chidesco1
87
I love that valverde didn't fall for the temptation of starting Messi, it might've resulted into something else. Moreover, this match has brought more chances for malcom to show barca more of what he's made of. There's still all at stake at the Bernabeu and with a fit messi and dembele, and a revived malcom and with time coutinho, barca's chances are maximum
whykallar
56
It's time for us to focus on our Academy, and i hope Xavi can retire soon to come and take over our academy, Barca has no patterns of playing anymore, 80% of our first teams including our coach Valverde doesn't know anything about our tradition, is about time we make changes at the end of this season, we had spend too much money in the past two seasons to be on this level, it's about time to focus on our Academy. Look at Ajax academy is producing more then us, infact they are rhe best academy on the universe right now.